CORNE KRIGE has admitted acting irresponsibly by descri- bing Martin Johnson as "one of the dirtiest captains in world rugby".

CORNE KRIGE has admitted acting irresponsibly by descri- bing Martin Johnson as "one of the dirtiest captains in world rugby".

Krige's remark appeared in print on the eve of South Af- rica's World Cup departure.

But the Springboks captain, whose team were thrashed 53-3 by England at Twickenham last November in a match marred by South African indiscipline, attempted to defuse the situation on arrival at Perth.

"It was about a one-hour in- terview, and at the end, I had a discussion with the guy and then it came through in the paper," he said.

"I didn't expect it to be there - I was shocked and I was up- set with the journalist. It was irresponsible on my side, but also on his side.

"I don't want to say what I believe or what I don't believe, but it is not my place to comment on him (Johnson) in the papers."

Asked what he thought ab- out England captain Johnson, Krige added, "He is an extre- mely good player."

But Springboks coach Rudi Straeuli claimed, "Maybe you have got to investigate the two players and the two captains, and go and look at their records in international games, provincial and club games.

"Look who has been yellow- carded most, who has been off the field most."

Straeuli's veiled defence of Krige will not bother England, while Krige claimed the Six Na- tions champions already held a psychological advantage going into the countries' pivotal Pool C clash on October 18.

"They beat us by 50 points in November, and have been winning throughout this year, so there is no reason why Eng- land shouldn't have the advan- tage anyway," Krige said.

South Africa's reckless approach that day, when video footage identified Krige as one of their chief aggressors in a game which saw lock Jannes Labuschagne sent off, received widespread condemnation.

And there were problems in a Tri-Nations clash against Aus- tralia this year, which led to Springboks prop Robbie Kemp- son and lock Bakkies Botha both receiving bans.

Krige though played down any prospect of South Africa losing their cool this time.

"There are no personal sco- res to be settled from last Nov- ember. If you are indisciplined, you are not going to do well. It's about rugby, and about playing well," he added.

"We are not going to change the way we play. We always want to play it physical, but we want to keep within boundaries and within the law.

"We know we are not favourites, and that might suit us," he said. "England deserve their number one ranking, because they beat Australia and New Zealand recently.

"The pressure is on England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, but maybe just a bit more so on England."